County Agent III (Assistant Professor) - Commercial Agricultural Production - Atlantic County

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is searching for a community-engaged scholar to provide leadership, educational programming, and applied research-based information in commercial agricultural production, with expertise in commercial vegetable production. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of County Agent Ill (equivalent to Assistant Professor). This position is located at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County, 6260 Old Harding Highway, Mays Landing, NJ 08330-15332.

Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents are expected to demonstrate excellence in extension practice, teaching, and service. Key duties include providing leadership in assessing local needs to design, implement, and evaluate relevant programming in commercial vegetable or horticultural crop production, collaborating with agricultural producers and commercial crop production organizations, agencies, and internal ANR and NJAES working groups, and developing strategies to maximize the effectiveness of teaching and engagement, programmatic impact within Extension Practice, and service in appropriate service roles, utilizing a variety of delivery modes.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive organization, which empowers all staff to contribute towards a vision for success. Rutgers University and the ANR Department have a strong commitment to attracting diverse faculty and providing excellence in community engagement following the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan ( https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan), the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Diversity Plan https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/), and Rutgers Cooperative Extension Diversity Equity plan ( https://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/diversity-equity-inclusion/rce-strategic-plan-for-diversity-equity-inclusion.pdf) which is why we encourage candidates from diverse, underrepresented communities to apply.

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this position will provide county and regional leadership and collaboration across working groups, stakeholders, and Extension Departments and Specialists specifically for commercial producers.

A Master's Degree from an accredited institution in horticultural sciences, agronomy, plant or soil sciences, or other closely related fields within the scope of commercial crop production is required. In addition, three years of relevant experience following attaining the Bachelor's degree is required. Experience or course work in integrated pest management, commercial crop production, agribusiness management, working with diverse audiences, and/or collaboration/coalition building are preferred.

A valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one, the ability to complete Rutgers and/or Atlantic County Defensive Driving Courses, and other HR training as required. A valid NJDEP Pesticide Applicator's License, or the ability to acquire one within the first 18 months of hire, is also required.

This position would be responsible for assisting clientele in implementing and sustaining appropriate commercial agricultural practices.

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this position will provide county and regional leadership and collaboration across working groups, stakeholders, and Extension Departments and Specialists specifically for commercial agriculture producers.

The position will:

Cooperative efforts with Extension Specialists, faculty colleagues, fellow ANR faculty and staff include:

Computer, printer, and related software including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite; Email for communications and research, locally and nationally; Equipment related to programming and teaching (laptop, LCD projector, etc.); digital cameras, etc. Working knowledge of current and changing electronic technology.

Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Successfully and efficiently work in both office and research farm settings and field visits. Comfortable and accustomed to working in rural agricultural settings.

This ANR County Agent Ill in Atlantic County is expected to establish an outstanding program in commercial agriculture and vegetable production, the merits of which will lead to regional and/or national recognition.

Atlantic County Commercial Agriculture and Crop Production Statistics: Atlantic County covers 555. 7 square miles (third largest in NJ) and is incorporated into 23 municipalities. As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of just over 270,000, with an economy comprised of casino, convention services, and tourism along the Atlantic coast, while the majority of farmland is in the central and western portions of the county. According to the 2022 USDA Census, Atlantic County has 483 farms covering 30,674 acres, averaging 64 acres in size, with a market value of $150M in farm products sold in 2022. Fruit, nuts, berries, vegetables, melons, and nursery/greenhouse production dominate agricultural production in Atlantic County. Livestock production including cattle, poultry, and swine are also found in Atlantic County.

Members of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources focus on commercial agriculture and horticulture, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental and resource management issues, farm business development and marketing, pesticide safety and training, integrated pest management ( IPM), and other related subjects. htps://njaes.rutgers.edu/anr/

Please provide a statement on your understanding and contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion at Rutgers University- SEBS-Rutgers Cooperative Extension (for additional information go to Rutgers University Diversity Plan https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan, the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Diversity Plan https://execdeanagriculture.rutgers.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/), and the Cooperative Extension Diversity Equity plan ( https://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/diversity-equity-inclusion/rce-strategic-plan-for-diversity-equity-inclusion.pdf.

Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension of Atlantic County, 6260 Old Harding Highway Mays Landing, NJ 08330-1533